ORANGE COUNTY, CA – Today, Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley issued a statement in response to the Orange County Power Authority (OCPA) Board’s decision to remove CEO Brian Probolsky.
“I wish I could say I am pleased to see the Orange County Power Authority Board is finally beginning the necessary process to address the longstanding concerns of this agency, but there is much structural reform needed as outlined in our Internal Audit report,” said Supervisor Katrina Foley. “I will continue monitoring the OC Power Authority’s actions to see which reforms they decide to enact. I remain committed to the cause of providing cleaner power options at competitive rate that will benefit our ratepayers and help our environment.”
This vote comes on the heels of the California State Audit of the Orange County Power Authority (OCPA). The findings showed OCPA leadership’s circumvention of procurement policies and improper use of funds for marketing and financial services contracts.
Supervisor Foley directed county staff to pursue audits of the agency in August 2022. In December 2022, the County’s internal audit and operational performance audit revealed evidence of fiscal risk, waste, failure to comply with state laws, and transparency as to rates and energy resources. Following the results, Supervisor Foley voted to withdraw from the OCPA due to the agency’s lack of transparency with consumers, failure to implement government financial control best practices, and the lack of effective leadership and expertise among key staff. The most recent State audit supplements and corroborates the findings by the County auditors.
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Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley was elected to the Board of Supervisors in 2022 to represent the newly established District 5, which includes the cities of Aliso Viejo, Costa Mesa, Dana Point, a large portion of Irvine, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, Newport Beach, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, as well as the unincorporated areas of Coto de Caza, Emerald Bay, Ladera Ranch, Las Flores, Rancho Mission Viejo, Stonecliffe and Wagon Wheel. This is her second term on the Board of Supervisors, where she previously served District 2.
Supervisor Foley’s Board appointments include the Orange County Fire Authority, Coastal Greenbelt Authority, Law Library Board of Trustees, Newport Bay and South Orange County Watershed Executive Committees, OC Public Libraries Advisory Board, Orange County Housing Finance Trust, Orange County Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council, Orange County Transportation Authority, and the Transportation Corridor Agency.
